Mechanicsburg, PA – Western Fictioneers (WF) is pleased to announce the NOMINEES for the third annual (2013) Peacemaker Awards. Mark Mitten’s “Sipping Whiskey in a Shallow Grave” is a finalist in the Best Western First Novel category.

Sipping Whiskey in a Shallow Grave

About Western Fictioneers:
Western Fictioneers is the only professional writers organization composed entirely of authors who have written Western fiction, the classic American genre.

Western Fictioneers is comprised of writers who love what they’re doing and who believe in the literature of the old west–devoted to keeping the traditional western alive.

Stories of the west have been entertaining readers since the days of James Fenimore Cooper, and Western Fictioneers believe that western fiction is just as compelling ever. They have already produced a fine anthology of western tales. There’s a lot more to come in 2012, so look for some exciting announcements in the months ahead.

Membership in Western Fictioneers is open to professional authors who have written Westerns, as well as fans of the genre who can join as patron members. If you’d like to join the group and be a part of the fun, you can find the requirements at the website below. They welcome everyone who shares their love of traditional western fiction.

About this year’s nominees:
Western Fictioneers (WF) is pleased to announce the NOMINEES for the third annual (2013) Peacemaker Awards

** Nominees are in no particular order.

The Lifetime Achievement Peacemaker will be presented to Robert Vaughan

Congratulations to all the nominees. Winners will be announced on June 1, 2013 on the WF website (www.westernfictioneers.com)

Western Fictioneers (WF) was formed in 2010 by Robert J. Randisi, James Reasoner, Frank Roderus, and other professional Western writers, to preserve, honor, and promote traditional Western writing in the 21st century. Entries were accepted in both print and electronic forms. The Peacemaker Awards are given out annually. Submissions for the Peacemaker Awards for books published in 2013 will be open in July, 2013. Submission guidelines will be posted on the WF web site. For more information about Western Fictioneers (WF) please visit: http://www.westernfictioneers.com/ or http://westernfictioneers.blogspot.com/

About “Sipping Whiskey in a Shallow Grave”
It is 1887. Snow is falling in the high country of Colorado. Bill Ewing led a bank heist in the small mountain town of Kinsey City — but just woke up tied to the back of a mule. “Sipping Whiskey in a Shallow Grave” is an epic novel chronicling Bill Ewing’s gang of thieves and the posse that takes after them, the cowhands of the B-Cross-C, and the unexpected turns of life which bring them all together.

Following the Great Die-Up, the harshest winter to ever hit the West, LG Pendleton and Casey Pruitt lead a mixed herd of Polangus and Durham cattle down the stage road in Lefthand Canyon. Their way of life is fading with the changing times. Fences cross what once was open range, locomotives are eliminating the trail drive, and both Casey and LG must learn to change with it — or fade away themselves.

At once both personal and immutable, “Sipping Whiskey in a Shallow Grave” is a sweeping tale of randomness and destiny, reminding us of the power of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Born in Cleveland, OH, she was the daughter of the late Lawrence J.V. and Evelyn (Boettger) Lindberg.

She was a 1954 graduate of Bucknell University.

Linnea was a certified yoga instructor and nutritionist. A visionary, she shared a lifestyle of respect for self, Mother Earth and the fine balance of foods with which we nourish ourselves. Linnea was the author of “Linnea’s Kitchen: Yummy Ayurvedic Recipes and Life Lessons” published by Sunbury Press.

She is survived by her six children: Jesse, Wyomissing, Andrew, husband of Julie, Oconomowoc, WI, John, husband of Marcia, Wyomissing, Carol, wife of James Walker, Franconia, NH, Christina, wife of David Maier, Sandy OR and Joanna Jepsen, Reno NV; her brother, Robert, husband of Patti Lindberg, Ketchum, ID; eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life was held earlier today, at 2 p.m., in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading. Burial was at the Charles Evans Cemetery . Fellowship was held at The Yoga Inlet following the service. Online condolences may be recorded at http://www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.

Dallas, TX – Sunbury Press has released Douglas Brode’s new novel “‘Patsy!’: The Life and Times of Lee Harvey Oswald.”

“Patsy!” by Douglas Brode

About the Book:
NOVEMBER 22, 1963: A DAY THAT CHANGED AMERICA

Since the assassination of Pres. John F. Kennedy, three theories have been forwarded as the involvement of Lee Harvey Oswald: that he was a lone assassin, as the Warren Commission claimed; that Oswald was a part of a vast, complex conspiracy to kill the sitting president, as those who reject the Warren report insist; and, finally, that Oswald was not involved, either singly or collectively, in what went down that day in Dallas. The greatest stumbling block to the latter has to do with hard, cold evidence: Not only was Oswald located on the sixth floor of the book depository that day; he absolutely carried a rifle with telescopic sight and fired it out the window. How could it be remotely possible, then, that Oswald was completely innocent as to JFK’s murder?

In his latest iconoclastic work, prolific writer DOUGLAS BRODE presents a detailed argument as to the theory of innocence, taking into account one of Oswald’s final statements–“I’m a Patsy!”–proceeding from there to trace this unique man’s entire life. Such materials are juxtaposed throughout the book with larger, greater world events that, when viewed from a contrarian perspective, may shed light on who actually wanted Kennedy dead and why. This non-fiction novel is written in the style of an imaginative work, yet events detailed here remain true to fact. As Brode reveals, we can precisely know what Oswald did and said that day, but what actually went on in his, or any person’s, mind can never be fully reclaimed from history, therefore reconstructed here in a freely creative manner to offer “a truth,” if not “the truth,” as to what may have actually happened fifty years ago, and why.

About the Author:
Douglas Brode is a novelist, graphic novelist, produced playwright, Hollywood screenwriter, film and TV historian, and multi-award-winning journalist. His more than thirty-five published books include the novel Sweet Prince, a retelling of the Hamlet legend, and Shakespeare in the Movies for Oxford University Press. He and Carol Kramer Serling collaborated on Rod Serling and the Twilight Zone, the only official analysis of that late author’s work and vision. Among Brode’s best known books are studies of the careers of directors Steven Spielberg and Woody Allen, such genres as the gangster film and the Western, and the relationship of popular culture to contemporary politics. Brode’s op-ed pieces are regularly syndicated to newspapers across the country. During the course of his lifetime, Brode has been employed as a TV talk show host, radio commentator, drama and film critic, regional theatre actor, and magazine editor. As an educator, Brode teaches at the Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University, during the fall semester, and for the department of Philosophy and Classics, University of Texas at San Antonio, each spring.

About the Book: “If James Joyce’s “Ulysses” is considered the greatest unread novel of the 20th Century, then it is just as likely as not Paul Argentini’s “A Matter of Love In da Bronx” will become the greatest unread novel of the 21st Century.”— Zeilvieg P. Battiscu, The LDN Literary Review

“A Matter of Love In da Bronx” is a 1950’s love story that almost didn’t happen. Based on an actual love affair diary to which the author was privy, the story and its maddeningly frustrating theme was meticulously recorded as event by event were relayed. It was incredible that just a few short years after the end of World War II such an atavistic, feudal family system existed. The lovers’ wishes and wants were denied to them at every single turn, by family, friends, society, circumstances, and just rotten luck.

Couples at that time were just as hungry to satisfy the intense, volatile yearnings of love as they are today. Especially without an automobile—which well could have sufficed for private encounters—there was no such thing as running to a motel or hiking off to a hotel. There were no cell phones to arrange a rendezvous, and even if they could freedom was at a premium under the oppressive regime of venal, ignorant, self-centered, rigid controlling parents. The best Sam and Mary found they could do was use stolen moments for fleeting bliss in darkened doorways.

This is a paen to lovers past, present, future, wheresoever they be who combat the cruel frustration of combustible emotions using only tender hearts and the hope of a pain-free moment of bliss as in this unequaled literary truth.

Mechanicsburg, PA – “Of Guilt and Innocence”, John Scanlan’s debut police-procedural mystery, was #1 in print for the second consecutive month thanks to brisk eBook sales. Mike Campbell’s “Amelia Earhart – the Truth at Last,” about the disappearance of the famed aviatrix, ranked 2nd due to strong sales in all formats.

Of Guilt and Innocence

Sunbury Press experienced its best March yet, and its best first quarter ever. In fact, it was the company’s strongest non-holiday quarter in its history! Sales for March 2013 were up 29% over the prior year, with growth in eBooks outpacing growth in print. “Our strong start continues,” said publisher Lawrence Knorr. “Sales are up 40% year-to-date. EBook sales are nearly double last year, and 8x 2011 during the same quarter. Our best-seller sold more units as an eBook for the second straight month.”

Joanne Risso’s children’s book “In the Field,” about a little boy communing with nature, ranked 3rd thanks to author events. Her book “Over the Sea,” about the mysteries of water, also made the chart at #8.

“Hour 30,” Dr. Brandon Musgrave’s testimonial about life in medical school continued to sell well, rising to #4.

Jess Steven Hughes’ novel “The Sign of the Eagle,” set in ancient Rome, was #5 in unit sales thanks to author activities.

“There is Something About Rough & Ready: A History of the Village at the Heart of the Mahantongo Valley” ranked #6, as regional sales continued to be brisk.

“In the Shadow of a Mountain,” Susan Dahlgren Daigneault’s memoir about her famous father, WW2 hero Ed Dahlgren, “The Sergeant York of Maine,” returned to the charts at #9 thanks to author appearances.

The company released eight new titles during the month of March:
“In the Field” by Joanne Risso
“Beyond the Sun” by Sean Madden
“MONAD” by T Anderson
“The Boy from Saturn” by Sean Madden
“Ghost Shadows” by Thomas Malafarina
“The Sea is a Thief” by David Parmalee
“Tinseltown Riff” by Shelly Frome
“Scared Skinny No More!” by Brad Johnson & Mary Dimino

New York, NY – Sunbury Press has released Susan Emmi’s book “As a Guest of Clive Barnes: Journeys through the Ballet with Clive Barnes and Others.”

As a Guest of Clive Barnes

About the Book:
Enter the enchanting world of ballet through the eyes of the legendary dance and theater critic Clive Barnes, and others like him, whose views on dance and theater will both intrigue and captivate even the most jaded of readers.

Meet such luminaries of the dance and theater world as Joel Grey of Cabaret fame, and hear how he and others were both moved and inspired after having seen some of the greatest ballet classics of all time.

And get an in-depth view of these grandiose productions—Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker, Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, Don Quixote, Coppelia, and many others—as you take the journey that will both enlighten and enrich you.